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Senator Hassan Speaks with Granite State Businesses about Importance of Strengthening Career and Technical Education Programs

WASHINGTON - In case you missed it, Senator Maggie Hassan spoke with Granite State business leaders and employees about the importance of strengthening career and technical education programs in the state. The Senator toured the Mas-Con construction site for the new Merrimack County Courthouse in Concord, as well as the facility at Williams & Hussey Machine Co. Inc. in Amherst. During these visits, the Senator discussed the importance of better aligning education programs and the needs of businesses.

As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, the Senator recently voted to pass the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Actout of committee. The Senator fought to include critical priorities for New Hampshire in the bill, including requiring that CTE programs collaborate with local industry and workforce development organizations to better meet the needs of innovative businesses; ensuring that traditionally underserved students, such as students who experience disabilities, have access to career guidance and academic counseling; and giving more CTE students the opportunity to obtain a postsecondary recognized credential.

Speaking at his Amherst facility Friday morning, Williams & Hussey Machine Co. Inc. President and CEO Stephen Carter said many high school students across New Hampshire and throughout the nation fail to realize there are plenty of good jobs available for those with the right training … which quite often is not a bachelor’s degree.

…Carter, who is also president of the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America, is far from alone in facing a skills gap when trying to hire and retain workers. On Friday, U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., joined Carter at his facility to discuss bipartisan efforts underway in Congress to strengthen and expand career and technical education (CTE) programs.

“What we know is that businesses need a skilled workforce,” Hassan said. “We also know that we have people graduating high school who feel that they aren’t prepared for the kind of jobs that you see here today in this manufacturing business, and you see all across the state of New Hampshire.”

She highlighted the recent bipartisan Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. This bill will help better prepare students for jobs in the 21st century by requiring CTE programs to collaborate with local industry and workforce development organizations to better meet the needs of businesses.

Hassan also said legislation that just passed out of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee incentivizes states to work closely with businesses to make sure that career and technical education centers have the kind of curriculum needed to prepare young people for jobs in manufacturing and small business. It will also make sure underserved student populations are supported as they go through career and technical training.

“Again, trying to make sure everybody has the opportunity to learn these kinds of skills, and also knowing that if we help underserved populations, maybe people with learning disabilities for instance, learn these skills that, that unleashes their talent and energy, and adds to the workforce in critical ways so that the economy can continue to grow,” she said.